Disclaimer: I own neither Inuyasha or Naruto.
HieiLover177: Sorry I took so long to update this. Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I didn't expect to get as many as I did. But I appreciate it from everyone of you guys! So this chapter is to you. As goes for my one-shot I did, I'm thinking about making it into a full blown story, since so many people liked it. I'll update that whenever I can. I'll let you guys know if it'll be turned into a full story or just a two-shot. Be looking for that sometime soon though! Anyways~ Enjoy the update!
Deals of the Heart.
Thinking / flashbacks.
"Talking."
Stress on words.
Chapter one;
Roses.
Ages: Kagome - 10, Naruto - 10, Itachi - 13, Kage - 32.
Clutching her father closely, Kagome peeked out from his embrace to look at the coffin before them. Shaking her head she quickly ducked her head back against his chest, tears welling up under her closed eyes. Stroking her hair softly, her father said a soft prayed before he started to work around Kagome, burying his beloved. Tears strained to leak out from the corners of his blue eyes, but he wouldn't let them fall just yet. Glancing down at Kagome, he sighed softly before continuing on when he was doing. Pulling back slowly away from her father, Kagome glanced the other way and stared out at the vast valleys. Her oceanic eyes, which always gleamed with hope and happiness now betrayed what she had always been. They bore into a gaze of emotionless depression. Her mother was gone. And now they were destined to move to an unknown land just so she could be watched over easily. Things were not good.
"Otousan, do we have to move? I don't want to..." Kagome whispered softly, the tears that welled up in her eyes slowly blurred her vision, before they started to pour out. Shaking her head, she bit her bottom lip as a sob wracked through her body gently.
"We have to, or we will be killed." Was his solemn answer.
"Hai..."
"Go pack your things, we have to leave immediately."
"Hai, Otousan."
Biting her bottom lip, Kagome stared quizzically at her room. What was she to pack? Everything? Shaking her head slowly, she reached for the bag that was in her closet. Pulling it out, she started to slowly pack her clothes. Tears continued to trickle down from her perfect blue eyes, dampening her clothes in the process. Why did he have to take Okaasan! Why!? I should have tried to save her, like I did with Otousan... Now we have to leave here. Leave her! I hate this, I hate it so much! Balling her fists up slightly against her clothes, a sob wracked through her body violently as she relentless let the tears fall from her eyes.
The image of her smiling father crossed her mind for a second, making Kagome open her eyes slowly. "Come on Kagome... Stop crying. You're stronger than this! You need to be strong for Otousan..." Whispering these things to herself, she willed herself to stop crying and to finish packing. Once the bag was filled, she slipped on her shoes and ran out the door towards her father who had just finished filling the grave.
"I'm all ready, Otousan."
"Wait here while I go get packed. Please Kagome, don't venture off no matter what."
"Hai."
Watching him walk into the house, she sat herself down on the grass. A wisp of air brushed lightly against her cheek. Averting her gaze to the sky, Kagome smiled softly to herself at how beautiful the day looked. Sun shining bright over head, not a cloud in the sky. How can a day so perfect be so bitter... Trailing from her thoughs, a voice broke her concentration.
"Kagome-chan! Kagome-chan!" It was Inuyasha. And he was happier than ever.
"Konnichiwa, Inu-kun."
"Konnichiwa! Guess what, Kagome-chan! Mama and Papa invited your family over for dinner. Can you come?"
If only he knew.
"Iie, we cannot. Gomen nasai, Inu-kun. But Otousan and I are moving away, to Konohagakure."
"Why, Kagome-chan?"
"I cannot say. Gomen nasai!" Willing herself not to cry, Kagome jumped to her feet and gave Inuyasha a soft hug. "Always remember me, please Inu-kun?"
"H-hai, Kagome-chan. Of course I will always remember you! You're my best friend!"
Looking up, Kagome glanced at her father as he walked out of the house. He narrowed his eyes slowly as he saw Inuyasha and Kagome embracing. Quickly, she pulled away and nodded her head towards him. As he approached, Kagome gave Inuyasha one last smile before she ran and met him half way.
"Ready to go, Otousan?"
"Hai, let's go Kagome."
"Sayanora Inu-kun!"
"Sayanora, Kagome-chan."
"Otousan, I'm tired." Kagome whined gently, looking up at her fathers stern face. They'd been walking for a couple hours now, and still along trek ahead of them before they reached Konohagakure.
"We have to keep going, Kagome. We cannot rest until we reach Konohagakure. Once we get there, we still have much to deal with. Like, where we are to live and how we're going about all of this."
"Hai. I understand Otousan, gomen nasai!"
Glancing up at the gates of Konohagakure, Kagome gasped in awe. Looking at the two nin who stood guard, she quickly moved herself behind her father's leg. Nervously peeking out, they stopped suddenly as her father began to talk with them. Soon they were walking again, and into the village hidden in the leaves. Pulling herself away from her father's leg, Kagome bounded forwards and spun around quickly.
"It's so nice here, Otousan." Kagome exclaimed gleefully, turning to flash her father a bright smile.
"Glad you like it, Kagome. It wont be that hard to adjust to here."
"So where are we headed to first, Otousan?"
"Hokage tower. We have business to take care of."
Tilting her head to the side slightly, Kagome beamed a smile up at her father. "Hai!" She exclaimed, grabbing his hands and pulling him forwards. "Let's hurry then, Otousan, before night comes."
"Mm, all right." Kneeling down, Kage glanced back at his daughter. "Get on, it'll be a lot quicker." As Kagome climbed onto his back, he wrapped his arms under her legs and took off in a fast sprint, disappearing into a black blur. He had been right, he was a lot faster than Kagome herself seeing as she was still young. Enrolling her in the ninja academy here would be their second priority once they reached Hokage Tower. First was finding themselves a home.
Closing her eyes, Kagome leaned her head on her fathers shoulder, letting herself relax in the safe arms of her father. Keeping her eyes opened, she watched the scenery go back in a blur as her father quickened his pace. Minutes passed by quickly and they had arrived at the Hokage Tower. Lifting her head up from her fathers shoulder, she gasped in awe at the largeness of the Hokage Tower. Slipping down from her fathers back, Kagome rubbed her eyes gently before throwing a curious glance up at her father.
"No time to gawk, Kagome. Let's go."
"Hai."
"Kagome, wait here while I take care of this. Don't go anywhere, understand?" Her fathers stern voice rang through the silent hallways, making Kagome nod her head at the seriousness of his tone.
"Hai Otousan, I understand."
"I will return shortly."
Watching him enter the room through double doors, Kagome leaned against the wall outside the room. Brushing her fingers against the stray hairs that hung in her face, she let out a low sigh. For her fathers sake, she had put on a cheery appearance, not wanting him to realize the pain she had been going through ever since they'd left. She had left her mother behind, not to mention her two best friends. Okaasan... It's all my fault. I should have did something... Now you're dead, and everything is just wrong! Slumping to the floor, Kagome wrapped her arms around her legs and willed herself not to cry. Tears pricked at the edges of her eyes, making Kagome wipe them away furiously and hug herself tighter. She wouldn't cry, for her fathers sake. She couldn't! He'd been so strong for the both of them, so she would be too. Looking around the desolate hallway, she let out another low sigh before hanging her head in despair.
The sound of footsteps crept into her ears making her head perk up in interest. A dark figure conjured itself against the dim lighting of the hallway. Biting her bottom lip, Kagome tired to make herself look smaller not sure what to expect out of this. The figure approached slowly, all Kagome could make out about it was long dark hair, along with a long dark cloak. A shiver ran up Kagome's spine in fear, as she tried to push herself up against the wall more. Maybe making herself smaller would save her from whatever this thing was. As the figure approached, its head seemed to turn towards her direction, dark eyes staying on her being. Where was her father when she needed him! Shaking her head, Kagome tried to stand but found herself stuck, not able to make her legs obey her command to get up and run. The figure stepped into the light, and Kagome gasped audibly in recognition to the person.
Itachi! Kagome cried out in her mind, her legs finally listening to shooting her up into a standing position quickly. Too quickly. Soon she started to tumble forwards, her lips parting to let out a cry of despair. But before even a sound could escape her lips, a hand covered her mouth quickly as another wrapped around her waist tightly. Setting her upright, the hands slipped away quickly. Biting her bottom lip, Kagome dared to look up into the eyes of the man who had murdered her mother. In his hand, he held something. Tilting her head at it, Kagome strained her eyes to see what it was.
"For you." Was all that came from his lips, as she tossed the object at Kagome before vanishing.
"Wha-?" Kagome spat out, as she scrambled forwards to grab the thing he had tossed. Catching it in both her hands, she shrieked in pain as the thorns of the stem stabbed into her palms. Dropping the rose to the floor, Kagome peered at it, then at her hand which was starting to bleed. Picking up the rose carefully as to not prick her hands again, she quizzically looked at it. Why had he given her such a thing? A rose? And what did it mean? Pursing her lips at the question, her head quickly turned away from the flower and towards the doors which had come flying open just then.
"Kagome! Are you alright, I heard a scream!" It was her father, worry etched plainly across his face.
Relief suddenly washed over Kagome's body as she looked at her fathers worried features. "I'm okay, Otousan. Don't worry!" Smiling for his sake, she hid the rose behind her back before he'd have a chance to see it. He'd tell him about it later. Something told her that if she mentioned Itachi here, that it would turn out bad.
"All right, Kagome. All is set though, we will leave now." Stepping away from the doors, Kage looked back and gave the Hokage a curt nod before closing the doors and taking Kagome's hand in his. "Let's go-" He stopped in mid sentence, looking down to see blood on his hand and hers.
Glancing down, Kagome silently cursed to herself.
"What is this, Kagome? How did you get injured!"
"It's okay, Otousan! It's just from this rose, the thorns pricked me."
"Where did you get that from?"
Biting her bottom lip, Kagome tore her eyes away from her fathers worried expression. Rubbing the stem with her index finger, she sighed gently. "I'll explain later." Hopefully her instinct was right, and mentioning Itachi's name here would only lead to chaos.
He only nodded gruffly before pulling out a roll of bandages from his pack. Applying some ointment and the bandages to Kagome's hands, they finally left the Hokage Tower. Smilnig up at her father, Kagome skipped out the doors, twirling around with the rose still held in her hand. She had to be happy, even if she was slowly breaking down inside. She had to be happy for her father. Looking back, she caught a glimpse of a small smile spreading across her fathers features, just for a short moment. Nodding to herself, Kagome kept her smile on her face. If he was happy, then maybe she too could be happy.
"Let's go to our new home now, Kagome. It's getting late, it should be dark soon."
"Hai!"
Staring up at the tall apartment, Kagome tilted her head to the side gently. "This is our new home, Otousan?" She inquired, looking at the two story building. Apparently they were to live on the bottom one, the only vacant slot. Glancing up at the second story, her eyes widened at the sight of spikey blonde hair. Leaning on her tip-toes, Kagome waved towards her father. "Someone is up there, Otousan! Someone with blonde hair!"
"Hai, Kagome. That's Naruto Uzumaki, he's about your age. The Hokage told me he lives here by himself, and we are to live underneath." He gestured to the front door and pulled Kagome with him. "Make friends, Kagome. You'll probably be going to the ninja academy with that young boy."
"Hai Otousan, I will!"
Entering through the front door, Kagome slung her bag off her shoulder, setting it down gently next to the couch. Pulling out a few things, she sat herself down and pondered. Holding the rose up, she tilted her head slightly. She'd have to explain about it soon, and her father would be more alert about leaving her alone. If Itachi showed up again, who knows what he'd do then. But it'd be expected, soon enough. He'd coming looking for her, to take her with him.
"Otousan?"
"Hai, Kagome. What is it?" He was unpacking, placing things in the house that seemed so empty. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen that connected with the living room. Everything seemed so... Different from what they used to have.
"The rose I got today..." She trailed off, looking up at her father before tearing her gaze away and letting it land on the rose in her hand. "It was from Itachi. He just said 'For you' and left like that. Nothing more."
Kagome's eyes drifted back up to her father, his body tensing slightly at the recognition of the name. "I see." Was all he said, before returning to his task at hand. Breathing out a sigh of relief, Kagome got up and placed the rose on the desk before turning towards the door.
"I'm going to go make friends with that boy upstairs, is that okay Otousan?"
"Go ahead, Kagome. Just come back in ten minutes, all right?"
"Hai!"
Opening the door, Kagome quickly shut it behind her as she ran up the stairs of the apartment building. Pounding her small fists against the large door, she swung back and forth on her feet impatiently. Her first new friend here in Konoha! Maybe she would actually have a reason for staying happy other than just pleasing her father. She just hoped this Naruto would be as friendly as she was. The door slowly opened, revealing bright blue eyes and yellow hair. Beaming a smile, Kagome raised her small hand in a wave.
"Hello! I'm Higurashi, Kagome. My father and I just moved in downstairs, I was hoping..." Trailing off, she shyly kicked the floorboards with her foot. "I was hoping you'd be my first friend!"
The boy tilted his head curiously, before swinging the door open and giving Kagome a smile of his own. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'd love to be your first friend! You'll be my first friend too, you know?"
"I'm your first friend too? Wow! That's really cool." Laughing gently, Kagome threw herself at him in a hug. He was just as friendly as herself, maybe even more! Kagome was sure of it that they'd become best friends quickly.
"Ano, what are you doing?"
Looking up, Kagome noticed his face was cherry red. A blush of her own crept across her face as she pealed herself away for him shyly. "Gomen nasai! I should have asked, forgive me please!"
"Kagome-chan, it's okay! I've never gotten a hug before though! So I was just surprised!"
"Oh, okay! I have to go, Naru-kun. My father wants me back, but we should play together tomorrow!"
"Sure thing, Kagome-chan. Come over whenever you want!"
"Sayanora Naru-kun! I'll see you tomorrow!"
Running down the stairs, Kagome smiled as she heard Naruto yell his goodbye as well. Opening the door, she stepped in and smiled at her father. I need a bath! She thought, before heading towards the bathroom. Glancing back at her father, she smiled again.
"How did it go, Kagome?"
"I got my first friend! Can I go play with him tomorrow, Otousan? Please! I promise I'll be good."
"All right, Kagome. But I'm going with you for supervision, okay?"
"Hai! Arigatou Otousan!"
..TBC..
HieiLover177: There you go. I know it's kind of... A weird update. xD Not as serious as the first chapter, but everything needs to be set into place. You'll find out more about the roses later on in the story, they do have a significance here. But anyways(: Hit that review button! I'll update as soon as I can.